News

11/18/2010 8:00 AM - Hogs puck stopper turns away all 29 Moose shots
Winnipeg, Man.- Apparently goals are hard to come by on Thursdays. For the second straight Thursday the Rockford IceHogs were involved in a 1-0 game and this time around they came out on top.

Behind 29 Hannu Toivonen saves the IceHogs blanked Manitoba 1-0 on Thursday night at the MTS Centre, ending a two-game skid overall and against the Moose. Rockford was shutout last Thursday in San Antonio against the Rampage.

Rockford came out hard on Thursday night and the early first period pressure in the Manitoba zone resulted in a goal. Igor Makarov picked up a Moose turnover in their own zone and found Brandon Pirri backdoor and the rookie winger buried his fourth goal of the season at 5:39 of the opening frame.

After a scoreless second period, Rockford carried their 1-0 lead into the second intermission. Rockford peppered Eddie Lack with 11 second period shots while Toivonen faced 10 Moose attempts in the scoreless frame.

The IceHogs dominated the first half of the third period, outshooting Manitoba 10-1 through the first 10 minutes. The Moose, however, kept battling down the stretch but Toivonen turned away all of Manitoba’s chances.

Power plays were at a premium as the game featured just three minor penalties. Rockford was 0-1 on the power while Manitoba was 0-2.

Next Home Game: Wednesday, Nov. 24 vs. Lake Erie Monsters. Puck drop is at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday nights are Taco Bell Dollar Days at the MetroCentre, which includes dollar hot dogs, beers, sodas and companion tickets. The first 2,500 fans (21 and older) will receive Stanley Cup bottle holders courtesy of Bud Light and WXRX.